2012 Manistee Planting Report

The Upper Manistee River Northern White-cedar Restoration Project has completed its second year in the Deward area.  The purpose of this cedar tree planting and protection project is preserve and protects the cold-water fishery of the Manistee River by planting northern white-cedar seedlings along the river’s edge. Cedars help maintain shade, cool the water, and provide erosion control by locking in the soil.

There were three separate plantings completed in 2012 on state owned land. Mason Griffiths Founders Chapter of Trout Unlimited, lead by Bob Andrus, completed a planting of 50 seedlings in the spring of 2012 in their segment of the river.  The Headwaters Chapter of Trout Unlimited completed a planting of 50 seedlings and eight replants on September 17, 2012, lead by member Pete Middleton.   Anglers of the Au Sable completed a planting of 50 cedar seedlings in Zone I. All seedlings are in protective cages and are growing well.

This initiative is part of the “Cedars for the Au Sable” project which is administrated by the Au Sable River Property Owners Association.   Additional partners in this project include Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Forest management Unit and Huron Pines RC&D.